Sales Geek Council Engagement Workshops
About
This interactive online workshop is designed for Economic Development and Business Engagement teams who want a clearer, more confident and more consistent approach to working with local businesses. Through practical discussion and guided activities, participants will explore what effective engagement looks like, how to structure meaningful conversations, and how to turn insight into action. The session will also support attendees to begin developing a simple engagement framework they can apply immediately within their authority.This is 2 x 1/2 day sessions in the afternoon of 9th March and 23rd March
What the Programme Covers
Participants will explore:
What effective business engagement looks like in practice
How to prioritise which businesses to engage proactively
How to prepare for meaningful conversations
Techniques for asking better questions and listening for insight
How to handle challenging or sensitive discussions confidently
What information is most valuable to gather
How to translate conversations into clear actions and support
How engagement feeds into strategy, decision-making and funding bids
How to create a consistent experience across teams
The sessions are highly interactive, using real scenarios, group discussion and practical exercises rather than lecture-style teaching.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
Engagement Confidence
Approach business conversations with greater clarity and confidence
Open and guide discussions in a natural, professional way
Ask effective open questions that uncover meaningful insight
Handle objections, frustration or scepticism calmly
Strategic Engagement
Identify priority businesses and sectors for proactive engagement
Understand different types of engagement and when to use them
Align engagement activity with wider economic priorities
Insight and Intelligence
Recognise the signals that matter (growth plans, risks, barriers, opportunities)
Capture useful information that supports decision-making
Contribute to a stronger evidence base for policy and funding
Consistency and Process
Understand what “good engagement” looks like across a team
Apply a simple, repeatable approach to interactions with businesses
Improve the quality and consistency of follow-up
Practical Application
Translate conversations into clear next steps and actions
Strengthen relationships with local businesses
Support a more proactive, coordinated response to business needs
What Participants Will Take Away
Attendees will leave with:
Greater confidence in engaging with business leaders
Practical tools and prompts they can use immediately
A clearer understanding of their role in supporting the local economy
Shared language and approaches they can use within their authority
The foundations of a simple engagement framework or playbook
Location
Pendle Borough Council Offices
Town Hall , Market Street, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 7LG